How BYU's 2012 football opponents fared: Week 5

In college football, winning isn't the only factor. Who you beat, and how, is a vital part of moving up the rankings and getting into a good bowl game.
So each week during the 2012 season, we'll take a look at how BYU's past and future opponents performed.

BYU 2012 schedule

Aug. 30: Washington State, W, 30-6

Sept. 8: Weber State, W, 45-13

Sept. 15: at Utah, L, 24-21

Sept. 20: at Boise State, L, 7-6

Sept. 28: Hawaii, W, 47-0

Oct. 5: Utah State, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Oct. 13: Oregon State, 1:30 p.m., ABC

Oct. 20: at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m. (NBC)

Oct. 27: at Georgia Tech, TBA

Nov. 10: Idaho, TBA

Nov. 17: at San Jose State, 2 p.m.

Nov. 24: at New Mexico St., 1:30 p.m.

Washington State (2-3, 0-2 Pac-12)

Last week: Lost to #2 Oregon, 51-26

Nobody expected Wazzu to put up much of a fight against the second-ranked Ducks, but they surprisingly made a game of it until the second half. Unfortunately, the rest of their schedule is so tough that the strides they've made may not get them wins.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 6 at #14 Oregon State

Weber State (0-5, 0-2 Big Sky)

Last week: Lost at UC Davis, 37-13

Things haven't gotten any easier for the Wildcats, even against Big Sky opponents. They're the only winless team in the conference.

Next up: Friday, Oct. 5 vs. Cal Poly

Utah (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12)

Last week: Bye

The Utes had last week off to recover from a 37-7 drubbing at the hands of Arizona State. Bouncing back won't be easy, as they host #13 USC on Thursday in a nationally televised broadcast.

Next up: Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. #13 USC

Boise State (3-1, 1-0 MWC)

Last week: Won at New Mexico, 32-29

The Broncos eked out a win in Albuquerque, almost squandering a 25-0 halftime lead. Perhaps Boise's last year in the Mountain West Conference won't be the cakewalk many expected.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 6 at Southern Miss

Hawaii (1-3, 0-1 MWC)

Last week: Lost at BYU, 47-0

We knew the Warriors weren't great after blowout losses to USC and Nevada. But their performance against BYU really showed how low Hawaii has sunk. The injuries they suffered against the Cougars might be the biggest blow of all.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 6 at San Diego State

Utah State (4-1)

Last week: Won vs. UNLV, 35-13

The Aggies didn't have too much trouble with the Rebels, setting up a huge matchup with BYU this Friday. Having already beaten Utah, the Aggies can prove they're the best team in the state with a win. And they just might be right.

Next up: Friday, Oct. 5 at BYU

#14 Oregon State (3-0, 2-0 Pac-12)

Last week: Won at Arizona, 38-35

The upstart Beavers stayed undefeated by holding off the Wildcats in Tucson, although they needed a late touchdown pass with just over a minute left to do it. They'll host Wazzu before visiting Provo for BYU's first-ever "blackout" game.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Washington State

#9 Notre Dame (4-0)

Last week: Bye

The Irish had the week off, so their undefeated record is still intact. Questions remain regarding the offense, but Manti Te'o and the Irish D have been nothing short of brilliant.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Miami

Georgia Tech (2-3, 1-2 ACC)

Last week: Lost vs. Middle Tennessee, 49-28

Can anyone figure this team out? They took Virginia Tech and Miami to overtime (and should have won both games), and then they get shelled at home by Middle Tennessee? The fact is that the Yellow Jackets are great at running the ball...and pretty bad at everything else.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 6 at #15 Clemson

Idaho (0-5)

Last week: Lost at North Carolina, 66-0

There's no silver lining here; the Vandals are just flat-out awful. They're dead last in FBS in rushing yards per game, points per game, and points allowed per game. Even the weaker teams in the WAC may be too much for them.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. New Mexico State

San Jose State (4-1)

Last week: Won at Navy, 12-0

The Midshipmen stifled the powerful Spartans passing attack (at least a little), but four field goals led SJSU to a fourth straight win. They've still got to be kicking themselves for letting an opening-week upset of Stanford slip away.

Next up: Saturday, Oct. 13 vs. Utah State

New Mexico State (1-4, 0-1 WAC)

Last week: Lost vs. UTSA, 35-14

The Aggies can't run the ball, they can't stop anybody, and they've given up an average of 34.6 points per game this season. The only good news is that the passing game is still decent. That, and they get to face Idaho this week.